Jon M. Chu opens up about the remarkable bond between the two powerhouse stars leading the “Wicked” movies — and why their friendship made filming magical.

A Friendship Stronger Than Magic

Director Jon M. Chu says working with Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo on Wicked was more than just directing a film — it was witnessing a friendship blossom.

Speaking exclusively to PEOPLE at a private Gold House and OpenTable dinner in Brooklyn, New York, on Oct. 28, Chu revealed that the two megastars forged a powerful connection while bringing their beloved characters, Glinda and Elphaba, to life.

“It was one of the most beautiful friendships to watch grow,” Chu shared. “These two are the biggest voices in the world — maybe in our lifetime. They could have hated each other. There could have been insane divaship, but they always put Wicked bigger than themselves.”

According to Chu, that humility and mutual respect helped elevate the story and made their performances more emotional and authentic.

“They immersed themselves so deeply in Glinda and Elphaba,” he said. “It made my job a lot easier and made the film feel culturally relevant. What they brought to these roles was beyond anything I imagined.”

Behind the Scenes of “Wicked: For Good”

Both Erivo (38) and Grande (32) took on roles immortalized by Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth in the original Broadway production. Stepping into those iconic shoes wasn’t easy, but Chu said the two actresses leaned on each other through the challenge.

“We were all scared,” Chu admitted. “We knew we had to trust each other completely. I had the front-row seat to watch them grow, support each other, and become family.”

The Crazy Rich Asians director added that his dynamic with the pair evolved into something deeper than a typical working relationship.

“We could have director-actor talks or brother-sister talks. It meant the world to me to see that trust,” Chu said.

Why Their Bond Matters

The duo’s chemistry isn’t just behind the scenes — it radiates on screen. Chu believes their genuine friendship helped make the connection between Glinda and Elphaba even more moving for audiences.

“It makes their story bigger than life,” he explained. “People will feel the love, tension, and depth between them in a way that feels real. They made the characters human.”

What Fans Can Expect from “Wicked: For Good”

Following the box-office success of Wicked: Part One, the upcoming sequel Wicked: For Good continues to expand the untold story of Oz.

The star-studded cast includes Michelle Yeoh, Marissa Bode, Bowen Yang, Ethan Slater, Jonathan Bailey, and Jeff Goldblum. Chu teased that the second film goes “deeper and darker,” exploring sides of the characters fans have never seen.

“It’s all the things I’ve always wondered about these characters,” Chu said. “If you thought Ariana and Cynthia were good in the first movie, wait until you see them in the second. It’s absolutely stunning.”

The Magic Returns

Wicked: For Good will soar into theaters on November 21, 2025, and fans can expect emotion, friendship, and breathtaking performances from two of the world’s most powerful voices.

“They could have been rivals,” Chu said. “Instead, they became sisters. That’s the real magic of Wicked.”